Thoughts on purging

[staminator]

I have heard all different opinions on purging cigars. I had a friend tell me if I need to relight a cigar, to purge while torching the foot. I've seen someone else purge several times throughout their cigar. One friend is convinced his cigar tastes better if he purges several times immediately after lighting up (even using butane, which has always never imparted a taste on my cigars).

I'm interested in hearing what different people's opinions are on this.

[Volusianator]

Purging is something that once you really, honestly get used to smoking cigars you'll rarely have to do. Back in the 90's I used to purge almost every cigar I had, now if I do three a year that's probably tops. Slow down your smoking, cut your cigar amply and you won't have to worry about purging.

[Ogre]

Purging is something that once you really, honestly get used to smoking cigars you'll rarely have to do. Back in the 90's I used to purge almost every cigar I had, now if I do three a year that's probably tops. Slow down your smoking, cut your cigar amply and you won't have to worry about purging.

:tpd: I am doing it less and less

[Drez]

i do it once and a while. like stated above i just pace myself so there is no real need to purge.

[Emjaysmash]

:tpd: I am doing it less and less

:tpd:

[G G]

I hardly ever do myself.

[staminator]

i do it once and a while. like stated above i just pace myself so there is no real need to purge.

You pace yourself, meaning if you smoke too quickly you need to purge. Why is this? To be clear, I don't purge my own cigars, it just seemed there were different schools of thought on this.

[hscmit]

if I can start to taste an unpleasant change in profile or build up of tar on the stick I will purge, but do it just to do it

[icehog3]

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.

[Devanmc]

:tpd: I am doing it less and less

:tpd:

:tpd:

I hardly ever do myself.

:r its better off this way ;s

[Zeuceone]

So smoking fast causes this need to purge?

[bobarian]

So smoking fast causes this need to purge?

Sometimes you will get off flavors no matter how slow or fast you smoke. Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors. :2

[CigarNut]

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.What Tom Said!

[Volusianator]

Again as I originally stated, I think if you seriously smoke cigars for several years, even with the "odd flavors" or tar build up, you will tend to purge less often as you just become accustom to it.

[Zeuceone]

Sometimes you will get off flavors no matter how slow or fast you smoke. Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors. :2

Thanks. I might have experience d off flavors.

[RevSmoke]

I had never purged in about 23 years of cigar smoking. MJ did it one day and I asked what he was doing, and he explained purging to me. Shortly after that, I had this particular cigar which was beginning to taste a little acrid. I tried a purge, as MJ had showed me. WOW!!! It got rid of that bitter and acrid taste and the cigar was wonderful.

I don't purge very often. However, if I get a cigar that sort of turns south on me, I'll give it a purge. Usually, it makes a big difference - occasionally it make just a slight difference - but I have only had a couple times were it made no difference.

That is just my experience.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[bobarian]

Again as I originally stated, I think if you seriously smoke cigars for several years, even with the "odd flavors" or tar build up, you will tend to purge less often as you just become accustom to it.

Why would you want to become "accustom" to tasting bad flavors? Do years of "seriously smoking cigars" lead one to settling for mediocrity? I smoke cigars seeking a pleasurably experience, always searching for the "perfect" cigar. There are times where purging will turn a cigar completely around. The day I become accustomed to tasting crap in a cigar is the day I stop smoking. :2

[Volusianator]

Why would you want to become "accustom" to tasting bad flavors? Do years of "seriously smoking cigars" lead one to settling for mediocrity? I smoke cigars seeking a pleasurably experience, always searching for the "perfect" cigar. There are times where purging will turn a cigar completely around. The day I become accustomed to tasting crap in a cigar is the day I stop smoking. :2

The flavors just don't bother me anymore. Plus, when I purge, the cigars becomes way to mild.

[Neens]

I don't think I have ever done it. I just don't see why you would. Even if I were to let my cigar go out I would purge.

[Springsman]

hmmm, never heard of that...thanks I'm going to have to look it up.

[icehog3]

I don't think I have ever done it. I just don't see why you would. Even if I were to let my cigar go out I would purge.

Purging will reduce the amount and intensity of those bad flavors. :2

That's why.

[druturn]

I do it occassionally, really depends on the stick and how it is developing.

I am with Tom on this one. For me, it varies from cigar to cigar, and occasion to occasion. Sometimes I smoke quickly, sometimes I drag out a smoke for a long time. Some sticks turn foul quickly, some never turn foul on me. It all depends on a few variables for me. For instance, recently I was smoking a cigar that I purged probably 3-4 times. That may be a bit extreme, but it helped the smoke get back on track and stay consistent in good flavor when it started to veer off into the odd flavor. But to answer the main question, YES I do purge on occasion and think there is value in purging.

[CoreyD]

Explanation of purging and reasons of doing it please. I know some and had tried it a few times but I'm sure I'm not only one that wants to grow in knowledge of this.

[staminator]

Explanation of purging and reasons of doing it please. I know some and had tried it a few times but I'm sure I'm not only one that wants to grow in knowledge of this.

It seems the consensus is that if the flavor of the smoke is going south, becoming bitter or less desirable, then a quick purge (blowing out through the cigar, instead of drawing the smoke into your mouth), can clear up the not so great flavor profile that developed.

[guitar4001]

if I can start to taste an unpleasant change in profile or build up of tar on the stick I will purge, but do it just to do it

same here. i do it on relight too.

[neoflex]

I usually purge right after lighting a stick before I take my first puff. Probably over kill but that's my ritual. I won't always purge while smoking unless I start to feel like I am getting unpleasant flavors which at that time I will purge like others have mentioned. If I know I will have to lay a stick down for a few minutes and there is a chance that it will go out than I will purge before laying it down and most definitely purge immediately after the relight which I do with a fresh stick anyway.

[justonemorestick]

I do it sometimes during my smoke but mostly only iof I have to do a touch up or a relight.

[Ranger_B]

Explanation of purging and reasons of doing it please. I know some and had tried it a few times but I'm sure I'm not only one that wants to grow in knowledge of this.

I purge when I relight or on a thin RG cigar if I let it get too hot. Blow out through the cigar as you hold the flame up to your cigar. You will see the flame turn colors. I normally blow till I see the flame go back to its original color. Just how I do it. I have seen and heard of a few different ways.

[scoot]

Purging often improves a cigars flavor and sometimes even corrects burn issues. Like others have said, it depends on how a particular cigar is developing, but I have never had a cigar respond negatively to purging.

Becoming accustomed to unpleasant flavor is in direct conflict with the very core of why I enjoy smoking.
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[bobarian]

Purging often improves a cigars flavor and sometimes even corrects burn issues. Like others have said, it depends on how a particular cigar is developing, but I have never had a cigar respond negatively to purging.

Becoming accustomed to unpleasant flavor is in direct conflict with the very core of why I enjoy smoking.
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QFT!

[Cohiba007]

I seem to purge once towards the end of the cigar